Electric switch



C. C.. STIRLING.

ELECTRIC' SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED IIAY 2o, 191s.

1,335, 1 35. Patented Mar. 30, 1920. v 2 ,g a7 Ia f I 39 30 35 3(p 3/ 'l' UNITED STATE-s ParENT vorrien.;

' CLAI'ENCE C. STIB/LING, 0F HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE-HART &

HEGEMAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 0F HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ACORPO- RATION 0F CONNECTICUT.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specication'l have shown a form of embodiment of the invention which I will set forth fully in the following description. I vam in no sense restricted to this particular disclosure; I may depart therefrom in several respects within the scope of the invention defined by the claims following said description. Referring to said drawings:

' Figure 1 is a Vertical section of a switch involving the invention.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line Q-Q ofFigi 1, looking in the direction of the arrow.

.3-3 of Fig. 2, looking in Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line the direction of the arrow.

Like characters throughout theseveral views.

The-switch is of magneto-mechanical type, being of s uch character thatpthe lines of magnetic force can be utilized to efect the movement for illustration of a magnetic con'- dueting body. This magnetic conducting bodyis free to move `in the vicinity of the lines of force'emanating from the poles of a magnet. In the present case there are twol armatures, the relation being such that asl one lapproaches the poles of the magnet, the other is receding therefrom, the result being there is a pull as well as a push upon the movable member of thel structure of whatever form it may take. This movable member is also positively held in its respective positions. In the present case `the initial movement as I might consider it, of a circuit controller is eifected independently of the magnetic action, the remainder being magnetically obtained. The parts may be in- Speci'cation of Letters Iatent.

refer vto i like parts ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Patented Mar. 30, 1920.

Application led Hay 20, 1918. Serial No. 235,1525.

corporated in switches of radically different kinds. As shown they are embodied in a pendent switch. l

The carrier for supporting the ditiierent parts may be of any convenient kind. That shown is denoted in a general way by 2 and comprises a base 3, a vbody 4 and a cap 5, `alllgenerally of some suitable insulating material. The base 3 as shown is in the form of a disk, set substantially in the lower part of the cylindrical body 4 which has a threaded connection exteriorly thereof at its upper end with the cap 5. As will be understood from the observations already made, the switch comprises in its makeup a magnet of any one of several kinds. I have in fact obtained excellent results from the use of a permanent magnet, and when such a part is used, it may befany one of different types. The magnet shown for this purpose is denoted by 6 and is of horse-shoe form l with its limbs extending` upward and its base resting on the bottom 3. Although the magnet'is shown as stationaryor fixed, this may not always be necessary. There is mounted on said bottom 3 a bracket 7 having outwardly extending feet 8 perforated to receive screws 9 by which said bracket 7 .is fastened substantially to the bottom` Associated with the bracket 7 or more properly with the body thereof is the plate 10. this plate 10 and the bracket jointly receiving or clamping between them the lower portion of the magnet. 6, the bracket 7 and plate y ,10 having registering perforations which receive the screw 11 furnished with a nut- 12 which when set draws the bracket and plate in clamping relation with the interposed magnet. Between the bracket and plate vare interposed sheets as 13 and 14:v of suitable insulating material as mica.

. As will be inferred, the circuit controlling or switching member may be of any one of several different forms. That shown is denoted in a general way by 15 and is oscillatory or swinging. It is shown in the on orl closed relation by dotted lines in Fig. .2 .and by full lines in said view in the otf qr open relation. As shown the body of the circuit controlling member consists of an elongated strip doubled on itself to produce the eye or sleeve 16, the shank 17 and the upwardly diverging branches 18 and 19, the latter in turn terminating in eyes 20 which receive the armatures 21 and 22 respectively. As will be evident these armatures are movable and although this is the preferred condition, it may not be always necessary. The portions of the body 17 are for security held 1n substantial relation with each other by a rivet 23. The upper portion of the bracket 7 has ears 24 which are located between the branches of the magnet 6 and which receive between them the pin 25 constituting a suitable pivot f-or the circuit controlling or switching member 15, said pivot or pin extending through the eye or sleeve 16 to which I have already referred, and which as will be clear provides a convenient -way of providing for the necessary swing of the circuit controlling or switching member. lVhile the magnet has two armatures, and while this is a quite desirable construction, it is not always necessary that they be duplicated or further increased because there may be conditions where a single armature will answer the purposes. Preferably but not essentially each armature is round in cross section or is practically cylindrical, as one of this form is held more firmly to the poles of the magnet than a flat one and is also detached with greater difficulty. In view of this circumstance, I increase the suddenness of movement at the inception of a stroke, which-is so desirablein a quick break switch. 1

The leads to the switch are designated by 27 and 28, and they extend through an opening as 29 in the cap 5, their bared lower ends being wrapped about screws as 30` and z 31 threaded through the horizontal parts of brackets as 32 and 33, the vertical parts of said brackets receiving sc'rews as 34 and 35 by which the brackets inquestion are held in lace in the cylindrical shell 4.

he screw 31 extends through the body of a contact member 35, which body fits virtually flatwise against the horizontal part of the bracket 33. This contact member 36 shown as fixed is provided as represented with three branches or fingers 37, 38 and 39, the two outer branches 37 and 39 as will be clear, pressing on the upper ends of the limbs of the magnet 6 so that -as will be hereinafter made obvious when' the switch the screw 11, the-switching member 15 being connected electrically with said screw 11. The actuator for the switching member is denoted in a general way by 41 andl is as shown of push type, consisting of an inter'- mediate body 42 vand the insulating buttons 43 and 44 onthe body, the buttons or 'finger portions 43 and 44 extending vfreely through diametrically opposite perforations in the cylindrical shell 4. Theintermediate body 42 as will be seen on inspection for instance of Fig. 2 extends freely through an opening or perforation 46 in the body or main portion of the switching member. The actuator 41 is provided with actuating portions 47 and 48 respectivel between which the switching member 1511's situated. The full lines in Fig. 2 show the parts in the off positions, the contacter or armature 22 at this time being entirely free of the contact finger 38, the armature 21, however, being in magnetic contact with the magnet 6. It will be supposed that it is desired to obtain the on relation. In this event the following procedure may be adopted: The-actuator 41 for illustration by manipulation will be moved toward the left in Fig. 2, and after-it has'moved a certain distance the actuating portion or shoulder 48 will engage the body 17 of the switching member, so that on the continuation of such further movement, the switching member will be suddenly operated, thusber as 36 has its advantages. This contact member has three branches or prongs already briefiy considered, as 37, 38 and 39, the branches or prongs 37 and 39 being at all times against and in electricalv contact with the limbs of the magnet 6, so that when the switch is closed for instance as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2, the current passes through the'armature 22, the upper portions of the limbs of the magnet and the branches or prongs 37 and 39. In View of this branching or division of the current,l I am enabled to inakc'the branch or prong 38 of quite light spring-effect, a 'large part of the current traversing the magnetic contact portions and avoiding thelight spring as 38 which is practically usedonly in breaking. I can also break with little arcing. As a matter of fact the break is accomplished in a magnetic field, so that creation of sparks is reduced.

`While the initiating ofthe action inthe present case` is accomplished through an actuator as 41, this `actuator has a lost motion connection with the circuit controlling or switching member 15. 'After the actuator will be understood, is insulated from the circuit controlling or switching member, and

. this is shown clearly in Fig. 2. The. armature 22 is obviously in electricaly connection with the switchmg member. When the switch is in the lon relation as shown by full .lines in Fig. 2, current will pass through the w wire '27, bracket 32, wire 40, plate 7 switching member 15, armature 'ber 36 to Wire 28.

What I claim is:

1. The combination of a permanent magnet, a-contact provided with a plurality of branches at least two of which are against the poles of the magnet and another of which is free of said poles and is springy, an armature for the magnet, adapted to bridge the poles of the ymagnet and at the same time to engage said free branch,A and circuit-controlling means cooperative with said armature.

2. The combination of a permanent magnet of horse shoe form,ja contact provided with a plurality of branches at least two of which are against the poles of said magnet and another-of which is free of said poles and is springy, an armature for the magnet,

22, contact memadapted to bridge the poles of the magnetl and at the same time engage said free lbrar1oh,"and circuit-controlling meansv cooperative with said armature.

3. The combination of a magnet, a contact. provided with avplurality of branches at least two of which are `against the poles of the magnet, and another of which is free of said magnet and betweensaid poles, an

armature for the magnet' adapted to bridgeA the poles of the magnet and at the same time to engage the free branch of the contact, and circuit-controlling means' coperative with said armature.

4. An electric switch comprising a magnet, a spring element in coperativ'e relation and in multiple with said magnet, an armature to engage the magnet and the spring, means for moving the armature firstV 'free of the magnet and afterward free of 'the spring to reduce sparking, and circuitcontrolling means coperative with said armature.

5. The combination of a permanent magnet, a spring element vin cooperative relation and in multiple with said magnet, an armar ture to engage the magnet and the spring, means for moving the armature iirst free of the magnet and afterward free of the spring to reduce sparking, and circuit-controlling means cooperative with said armature.

6. The combination of a magnet, a contact provided with a plurality of branches at least two of which are against the poles of Ithe magnet and another of which is free .of said magnet, between said poles and in the form o a spring, an armature for the magnet adapted to bridge the poles of the magnet and at the same time to engage the sprlng branch of th'e contact, means for movingl the armature first free of the magnet and afterward freeofthe spring branch to reduce sparking, and circuit-controlling means coperative with said armature.

7 The combination of a magnet, a contact provided with la plurality of branches at least twoy of which are against the poles of the magnet and'another ,of which is tree of said poles, a movable member provided with separate armatures for said magnet onek of them 'insulated from the movable member and the other in electrical connection therewith, means for causing said movby the magnet, engaging the Atree branch of'- said contact.

8. The combination of a permanent magnet having two legs, a contact member provided with three branche-s, two of which engage'said legs, and the other of which is between the same, an armature, a carrier for ther armature, means for operating the carrier to cause the armature to be Aattracted by the legs 'to bridge the same and at the same time position the carrier between the legs, andy circuit controlling means gov# erned by the armature.

9. The combination of a permanent magnet having two legs, a Contact member provided with three branches, two of which engage said legs, the other beingbetween the legs and resilient, an armature, a carrier for the armature. and means for operating vthe carrierto cause the same to enter between the legs and engage the intermediate branch and at the same time the armature to engage the legs, and circuit controlling means bridge the poles of the magnet and to be also in electrical connection therewith and of which are against the poles of the magmagnet, and circuit-controlling means conet and the other of which is between said operative with the rocker. poles, 'a rocker having branches provided In testimony whereof I aiix my signature vwith armatures one in electrical connection in the presence of two Witnesses.

5 therewith and the other insulated there- CLARENCE C. STIRLING.

from, a manually operable member for op- Witnesses: erating the rocker to move one armature L. L. MARKEL,

into and the other out of the eld of the HEATH SUTHRRLAND. 

